Tomorrow is almost here

Pinch me

Last week I traveled across three states (Montana, Idaho, and Washington) visiting family, first my wife’s side, then my own. Many of them I hadn’t seen in years. Happens sometimes when large families are spread out over several states. We all promised each other never to let so much time slip by again. Lots of smiles and a few tears. My computer was home on my desk, off. I didn’t check my phone much; social media pretty much not at all. I’m so grateful for this precious time with relatives. Having only just stepped back from an almost frenzied level of work over this past year, those few short days felt utterly surreal.

Today, I’m back at my desk feeling slightly disoriented and behind on everything, wishing I had another week off before getting back to work.

Tomorrow, my novel, Light in the Canyon, will be released to the public. I can barely wrap my mind around this fact. After years of writing, revising, dreaming, being rejected, hoping, and waiting, this day snuck up on me. I feel oddly unprepared for the drama of the moment.

Then again, the hard work is mostly done. My upcoming author events will be amazing, but the final stretch of this journey isn’t something I can do much about: How will people receive what I’ve labored so hard to create?

Will the story resonate? Are my characters interesting? Will anyone even read it? Only time will tell, and that time starts in earnest tomorrow. If I don’t sound enthusiastic, I promise, it’s only fatigue speaking. An evening run and early bedtime should be all I need to get ready for tomorrow. It’s true, I’m anxious to hear if you’ll like my book (I know not everyone will, and that’s okay), but I’m passionately proud of it and confident that at least a few of you will find it meaningful, or least enjoyable.

Depending on whether you ordered online or from a brick and mortar bookstore, my book will likely be in your hands within hours or days. I hope you love it! And if you do, I’d love to hear from you personally, see your posts online or on social media about it, or note your review on Goodreads. Whatever your reaction, I can’t wait.

While you’re waiting for your copy, join me and Slant Books for a live launch event Tuesday, June 23, at 8 p.m. eastern time. I’ll read from my book and talk a bit with Gregory Wolfe about how it came to be. Registration required.

If you’re nearby (Detroit / Ann Arbor), come to the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti this Thursday, June 25 at 6:30 p.m. for a family-friendly celebration. I’ll be signing and selling books, talking about my journey to publication, and answering questions.

Thanks for all your support and enthusiasm! I’m so excited to share this memorable moment with my friends and community. ❤️